Winter weather policy details delay, class suspension procedures

November 13, 2012 | News, UToday
By Staff



With the chill of winter just around the corner, employees and students should be aware of inclement weather procedures.

Winter weather is on its way. There are rare occasions when severe winter weather may alter operations at the University.

The University of Toledo is a community and a home for many, and ordinary seasonal inclement weather is something all must expect and deal with during winter months.

“Our primary concern is the safety of our students, employees and patients,” said Chuck Lehnert, vice president for administration. “With that in mind, our goal is to get the word out on delays or class suspensions as quickly as possible.”

In the rare event of a major snow or ice storm or other inclement weather that necessitates UT delaying or suspending classes or campus events, the University will announce this information through several communication vehicles:

• UT Alert text message and email: Sign up for UT Alert;

• Web: utoledo.edu and myut.utoledo.edu;

• Phone: 419.530.SNOW (7669);

• Social media: UT on Facebook and Twitter; and

• Local media.

Lehnert said UT policy is to remain open whenever possible to minimize interruption of teaching and research. Additionally, he emphasized that UT Medical Center never closes.

Decisions to suspend or delay classes due to weather are based on the conditions of campuses and area roads, and reports from local weather forecasters and local transit authorities. Optimally, suspending announcements occur in three phases, including decisions to suspend morning classes by 6 a.m., afternoon classes by 10 a.m. and evening classes by 3 p.m. This approach provides flexibility should conditions improve.

The suspension of College of Medicine and Life Sciences classes applies only to the basic science teaching programs. All clinical programs — third- and fourth-year clerkships — are conducted as usual.

In addition to UTMC, other University operations that never cease include the research facility on Health Science Campus, telephone services, the UT Police Department and the Computing Center. Basic services across the University such as food service for students in residence halls, electricity, heat, water, snow removal, and emergency repairs and maintenance also will continue.

The severe weather policy stipulates that Health Science Campus employees who come to work during storms will be paid for hours worked. Hourly employees who fail to report because of inclement weather will be subject to pertaining policies.

Employees deemed essential to the continuation of these functions are determined by management. Questions of status should be directed to supervisory personnel.

Lehnert emphasized that caring for UT Medical Center patients is an essential component of the University. Even when Lucas, Wood and Fulton counties declare states of emergency, patients depend on UTMC staff to provide university-quality care.

If UT employees are stopped by the police during a state of emergency, they should show their identification badges and explain they are on their way to work. County officials recognize that even during a state of emergency, employees must report to work.

Employees on Main Campus who are deemed essential and must report to work during a snow or ice storm should show their UT identification card if stopped by law enforcement officers.

If a sports contest is scheduled, the Athletic Department, after consultation with University Police, will determine if the event will occur.

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